Treatment progress of thyroid cancer in children and adolescents / 中国癌症杂志

ABSTRACT

Thyroid cancer is uncommon in children and adolescents. This article analyzed the current data and stated the treatment progress of the thyroid cancer in children and adolescents. Even though in the advanced stage at diagnosis, the prognosis is good for pediatric patients. Surgery is the treatment for pediatric thyroid cancer. Although there is no optimal surgery recommendation, most surgeons preferred total and (or) subtotal thyroidectomy. Hemi-thyroidectomy could also be considered in the low-risk patients with small unifocal tumors. We recommend routine central compartment clearance in pediatric thyroid cancers to reduce the local recurrence. Radioactive iodine therapy is also recommended in particular pediatric patients. Recurrences after treatment in childhood thyroid cancer may take place over a long period of time. Therefore, a life-long follow-up is mandatory.